Former O’Connor standout Michael Hodges says he has learned a lot while studying game film with Texas A&M assistant coach Dat Nguyen.

Former O’Connor standout Michael Hodges says he has learned a lot while studying game film with Texas A&M assistant coach Dat Nguyen.

Image 2 of 3

Former O?Connor standout Michael Hodges says he has learned a lot while studying game film with Texas A&M assistant coach Dat Nguyen.

Former O?Connor standout Michael Hodges says he has learned a lot while studying game film with Texas A&M assistant coach Dat Nguyen.

Image 3 of 3

Aggies? defensive resurgence must start inside

1 / 3

Back to Gallery

COLLEGE STATION — When Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman hired Dat Nguyen in February to coach his inside linebackers, Michael Hodges knew he'd play for a man who won the Lombardi Award and spent seven seasons as a linebacker with the Dallas Cowboys.

Hodges didn't fully realize, however, how much he'd benefit from one of the main reasons Nguyen was able to achieve such things.

“His vision,” said Hodges, a former O'Connor High standout. “Coach Nguyen just knows so much about what to see on the field. When we're watching film, he points out things I've never seen before.”

There's plenty to absorb on that front. The Aggies have switched to a 3-4 defense — three down linemen and four linebackers — under new coordinator Tim DeRuyter, and inside linebacker play is vital to the scheme.

“Coach Nguyen always emphasizes that the inside linebackers have to set the tone,” said junior Garrick Williams, a starter alongside Hodges. “We're the center point of the defense. He believes everything starts with us.”

The Aggies haven't produced an Associated Press first-team All-American at linebacker, however, since Nguyen in 1998, when he led the program to its lone Big 12 title.

“We have to be smarter, but I think the attitude (is changing),” said Nguyen, who spent the last three seasons as a Dallas Cowboys assistant. “Now, it's going to come down to how we perform in games. It's going to take a little time. We're not going to fix this overnight.”

The Aggies, once known for their “Wrecking Crew” defense, finished 114th and 105th nationally in total defense the last two years under then-coordinator Joe Kines, who retired at the end of last season.

The Aggies' potent offense finished fifth nationally last year, and if the defense is to finally get in on the fun, its resurgence must start in the middle, where Sherman has said Williams has the potential to mirror his position coach.

“Garrick Williams has shown to be a pretty dominant player,” Sherman said. “Michael Hodges has played pretty error free (this camp) and has shown quickness and is running a lot better. Kyle Mangan has had a good camp and will be playing.”

Hodges, the senior leader of the bunch, said the defense has a tangible goal this season.

“We've really been talking about getting turnovers,” he said. “We're constantly punching the ball (in practice). Our goal this season is to get at least 30 turnovers.”

A year ago, A&M opponents lost 10 fumbles and threw 12 interceptions. So the A&M defense must up that combined number by eight to reach its goal. In the past five years, the most turnovers A&M created in one season was 26 in 2005.

In 1998, Nguyen's senior season, a Wrecking Crew defense created 31 turnovers en route to the Big 12 title. If the current Aggies are to mirror such success, Hodges said, the rebirth must start in the middle.

“We've got to step up as leaders,” he said of the inside linebackers. We've got to be more physical. I expect so much from us, and so does the team. We can't show any more vulnerability.”